After becoming the first Indian paddler to reach the semi-finals of an ITTF pro-tour event, Achanta Sharath Kamal is looking to raise his game a few notches by playing for the elite San Sebastian Club in Madrid.
Sharath Kamal has been roped in by the super division Spanish club for eight months, from mid-September. There he will represent his club in Spanish and tournaments abroad.
"It should be a very good experience for me at San Sebastian. I have heard a lot about the club and there are some good players who are playing there. I would get a lot of variety that way and that's good for my game," Sharath said from Patiala, where he is undergoing training in the SAF Games' camp.
"I am also planning to train in Germany for a short period between mid-December and mid-January, when I have a break from the club assignment. Also, I would be participating in international tournaments as well. So it is going to be hectic year for me," he said.
Following the Commonwealth Games' success, where Sharath won gold medals in individual and team events, he carried his fine form to the Brazil and Chile Opens last month.
He created history by reaching the semi-finals of the Brazil Open and then lost to world No 21 Peter Korbel of the Czech Republic in the pre-quarter-finals of the Chile Open.
"I am a bit sad. It (Brazil Open semi-final appearance) went unnoticed. But that's the way it has always been. I am at least happy for myself that I am in top form," he said.
The fine show at these events helped Sharath reach his career-best ranking of 118 and he is confident of breaking into the top 100 by the year-end.
"I played well at Chile Open also and could have beaten (Peter) Korbel. I am happy with my performance because it is never easy in world ranking tournaments. And it has come after Melbourne. So people cannot say that the Commonwealth Games result happened out of blue."
About the upcoming SAF Games, Sharath is confident of bagging four gold medals.
"Last time I won three gold and one silver. I lost the final to Soumyadeep Roy, but this time I am looking to win four gold medals."
Sharath is also happy that the juniors are doing well and congratulated the girls' team for their recent bronze medal win in Asian Junior Championships in Japan.
"They (juniors) have a lot of potential. It's good for the game. But they need to be groomed properly."
